CHUMPHON — Oil palm ramp operators on Wednesday dumped palm nuts outside the provincial hall in protest at the government’s palm nut buying methods and price structure.
The protesters led by Tiwa Parnchan, acting chairman of Chumphon Oil Palm Ramp Operators Association, submitted a protest letter along with recommendations to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha via Chumphon provincial governor Wongsasi Promchana.
Two months ago the government approved a long-term plan to overhaul the palm price structure and improve quality by banning the trade of nuts with an oil content of less than 17%, which are considered substandard. The crushing factories and ramp operators were required to buy fresh palm kernels with 17% oil content from farmers at a minimum of 4.20 baht a kilogramme.
They were also ordered to increase the purchase price by 30 satang for each 1% increase in oil content. The purchase rate would drop 25 satang for each 1% decrease in oil content from the 17% criteria.
Mr Tiwa said operators agreed that the government’s buying method was not appropriate or effective due to the fact that they did not have the equipment to measure oil content. Under the current practice, he said factories and buyers were taking advantages of farmers by estimating the palm nut oil content using only their experience and without any use of scientific methods.
Mr Tiwa called on the government to change the current palm nut buying requirements and introduce a new buying measure with clear details within two weeks.
The group pledged to step up its protest after the deadline if the government ignored their request.